Though the Big Island grows Hawaii’s most renowned Kona coffee, Kauai is actually the home to the largest coffee farm in all of Hawaii and the US. Kauai produces approximately 60% of Hawaii’s total coffee crop. Kauai Coffee Company on the southern side of Kauai grows more than 4 million coffee trees over 3,100 acres.
From my visit at Kauai Coffee Company, I had to ask what the difference between Kona coffee and Kauai coffee. I was told that Kauai coffee tends to have more fruit notes and slightly less acidity. The company representative then gave me a wine comparison that further explained the difference – Kona coffee is like a Cabernet while Kauai coffee is more like a Merlot or Pinot Noir.
Kauai Coffee Company offers free, guided tours on a regular schedule. Check their website for the schedule. You’ll see harvesting and roasting equipment and, best of all, enjoy tasting the varieties that Kauai Coffee Company produces and roasts. Visiting and tasting is completely free. Though, if you are like us, after tasting some of the samples you’ll want to purchase Kauai-grown coffee to take back home.
Located in Kalaheo, Kauai Coffee Company is open every. For directions, see this map.
I recommend a short stop into Kauai Coffee Company and have listed it as one of the best free activities on Kauai.
Have you tried Kauai coffee or visited Kauai Coffee Company?
Sheila Beal
4 comments
I have been to Kona and found the coffee there to be very acidic, but fortunately I found Kauai Coffee in a Hawaiian themed store in Klamath Falls, Oregon. I love it!! It’s very smooth and has all the great taste of coffee without the bitterness. I am planning on visiting Kauai next time I go to Hawaii and I am definitely visiting this company while I am there.
As a vacation homeowner that usually posts on sites like HereStay and HomeAway, one of the common questions I get is how close I am to the nearest “coffee shops” or “cafe”. What’s this infatuation with coffee?
The Kauai Coffee company site states tours are now $20 per person
We’re not seeing that. We still see that they offer complimentary walking tours.
From their site:
COMPLIMENTARY WALKING TOUR
Guided tours of our estate are available daily at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm.
Walking tour signs identify the five different coffee varietals, as well as the entire coffee process from initial blossoming, through harvesting and processing, to the final roasting. No need to sign-up.